Hello, and welcome to another wonderful chapter of Missing N Action!
Reshiramgirl88 and I are actually almost done with this story. We're reaching the end, maybe a chapter or two more to write. So I can tell you all, now that I'm looking over these early chapters, that although it seems boring, it'll pick up pretty quick. Actually, not for a while, but it will escalate. Trust me.
N-Joy!
"So, which Pokémon did you pick?" I asked, trying to avoid the awkward silence we had been in for a while.
"Me? I picked Squirtle. I mean, look at him!" Layla picked up her Squirtle and hugged him. "The little guy is shy, but I think he has hidden potential! And together, Squirtle and I are going to unlock that potential!"
"Good for you!" I smiled. "Two years ago, when I was in Unova, I fell for the water-type Oshawott. He's now one of my best friends!" I sent out Samurott. Layla's eyes widened.
"You've been to Unova before? That's so cool," she breathed. Instantly she ran over and gave Samurott a big hug. I noticed my old friend flinch, then gradually accept the hug. I hid a laugh. After that we trailed Route 1 in silence, taking in all of the beauty of the route that we could.
Before long, we had arrived on a path leading out of Route 1. Buildings came into view as we continued to walk into the coming Viridian City.
"Hey, Layla! Look, isn't that the Pokémon Gym? Let's go challenge it!" I went running towards the building with the all too familiar roof. Layla grabbed my arm, howeved, and pulled me back.
"Hey! I released my arm from her grip. "What gives?"
"I wouldn't recommend going in there. It's full of really strong trainers. You and your Pokémon wouldn't stand a chance. You would probably need, I don't know, seven badges to enter?"
"SEVEN?" I opened my badge case, which, for the Kanto section, was empty. "But, I don't have any!" Layla smiled.
"Then I suggest we leave exploring Viridian City for another day. Let's move on to Pewter City, the location of the first Gym!" Now, she was the one with excitement. She pulled my wrist and dragged me along through the city, until we finally reached the tip of Viridian City, which was bordered by a NatureCenter. We walked in.
"Hello!" The lady at the info desk handed both of us a pamphlet. Reading mine, I could see it focused on the Bug Types of Kanto.
"Up ahead is Viridian Forest, where you can see these majestic creatures up in person!"
"Goody," I muttered. I didn't really like bugs. Layla and I stuck around the Nature Center for a bit, purchasing repels and other things before heading out into Viridian forest. For us, however, we were greeted by an unwelcome surprise.
A herd of bugs were piled about a bush growing not far from the entrance to the forest. Turning around, however, they noticed our presence and readied themselves to attack.
I turned to Layla, who was calling out Squirtle. "You ready to defend ourselves?" I pulled out my own pokéball, with a thrilled Bulbasaur jumping out. Layla nodded.
"But be warned, these Pokémon are Weedle. They have a poison sub-type, as well as their original bug type, which makes your Bulbasaur vulnerable. Wait, no, actually, I forgot! Bulbasaur has a poison sub-type too! In that case, only bug type moves will do real damage."
"Okay," I nodded. "Thanks!" I might've continued talking, but the first of the Weedle had already launched an attack. A purple spike shot out at Bulbasaur. From battling Burgh and his Venipede, I knew the movc used was poison sting. Like Layla said, since Bulbasaur was a poison type the attack did hardly any damage. In fact, judging by his expression, the attack did more help than harm to Bulbasaur.
I considered Bulbasaur's move set. With nothing more than a measly Tackle and Growl, Bulbasaur wouldn't be able to do all that much. Since Layla's Squirtle had about the same move set, it seemed like we were in for some trouble.
"Okay, let's get this started! Bulbasaur, use Growl!"
A roar erupted from the little guy's mouth.
Just kidding.
Bulbasaur let out a sound similar to a whisper. The Weedle made a sound, as if laughing at Bulbasaur's attempt. I glared.
"You laugh at my friend, I'll make you sorry," I growled. "Bulbasaur! Let's use a Tackle!"
"Squirtle, use Tackle as well!" The duo partnership sent the first Weedle flying. But there were more. And they were ready to avenge the loss of their companion.
The three Weedle remaining each growled, only this one was more intimidating than the one sent by Bulbasaur. Now, with both Bulbasaur and Squirtle's attack lowered, we wouldn't be able to pull of what we did before.
"Layla, what should we do?"
"You're the one who's been a trainer longer!" She looked at me worriedly. "Um, use our surroundings?"
Genius.
Not far from us, a small log rest by a cut down tree trunk. If we could move it….
"That's it! Bulbasaur, use Tackle on that log! Thrust it at the Weedle!"
"This could work! Squirtle, you help Bulbasaur out!"
Both Pokémon pushed the log at the confused Weedle. When they realized what was going on, it was too late. The log pushed them all rolling down a hill deeper into ViridianForest.
"Yes!" Layla leaped into the air with joy. I grinned as we high-fived. "We did it!" She grabbed Squirtle and hugged him tightly. I did the same with Bulbasaur. When we let them rest in their pokéballs, Layla turned to me.
"You could've asked Samurott for help right? He could've send those Weedle running with one shot!"
"Yeah, I could have. But," I smiled at the pokéball, "I wanted to give Bulbasaur a chance to feel great about defeating his first opponent! If I let Samurott do everything, then Bulbasaur won't get stronger, and I would hate everything if I just let him sit in the pokéball forever! Sorry pal," I looked Samurott in the eye, "but I can't have temptations. I think it's best if you stay in your pokéball." I pulled out the pokéball with a darker red tint. I sent Samurott inside after giving him a hug.
"You know, you're a really nice trainer," Layla said, looking to her feet. I looked at her with sympathy. She felt like she wasn't that close. Like how I felt when I met N and found out he could talk to Pokémon.
"You might not realize it Layla, but you, like your Squirtle, have a lot of potential. I think you two are a perfect match! When you trust your Pokémon and show them how you feel, you'll get through to them! Talk to Squirtle. He's a living being too! He has feelings like you and I, and, since he is shy, he needs a friend. I think you would be that friend." Tears began to leak from my eyes as I uttered those words. N had said the same thing to me. He and his Zorua, they showed me the meaning of friendship with Pokémon.
"You okay?" Layla looked at me with worry.
"Oh yeah," I replied, wiping the tears away. "Just thought of an old friend of mine. Speaking of, have you ever heard of a Trainer with green hair named N?"
"Um, well, a friend of my sister's is in the coming city. I know her cousin has green hair. In fact, I think he's coming to visit her soon!"
"Really?" My eyes glowed. "That's great! Let's go, right away!"
I ran through the forest, with nothing on my mind other than N. could he really be here, in Kanto? My eyes shut as I felt the wind rip through my face.
"Hey, White?"
"Yep?" I opened my eyes.
"We're here, in Pewter City." My eyes popped open. This was Pewter City, huh? So where was N?
"Where is he?" I asked.
"Who?" I rolled my eyes. How could she NOT know?
"THE GUY WITH GREEN HAIR!"
"Oh, him. He isn't going to get here until tomorrow. Why don't you sight-see? Pewter City is not that bad, actually. Check things out!"
I looked around, defeated. I looked ahead, seeing a large building. On closer inspection, I could see it was a museum.
"Do you want to check out that museum Layla?" I looked over at Layla, who appeared absent-minded.
"Hmm?" Her attention returned. "Oh, no, I've already seen the place. I think I'll go train instead. But don't let me stop your fun! Go on and check it out!" She strolled off, humming. I smiled, walking in the gate to the Museum.
"Welcome to the Pewter City Museum! Admission to enter is 50 Poké dollars." I pulled out the money, thankful that the currency was the same here as it was in Unova. After paying I took a look around.
Rows of cases were lined up on the wall, each displaying something different from the other. There were fossils, meteorites, and other antiques. I thought back to the Museum in NacreneCity, tears flooding my eyes as I did so. Remembering the time when I walked to the entrance and saw N for the second time…
I walked through the streets of Nacrene City, looking for the Gym. With no luck, to my misfortune.
"Excuse me," I asked a roaming passerby, "Do you know where the Pokémon Gym of this town is?" The man I had asked smiled.
"Keep walking straight past the Nacrene Café. You can't miss it!"
"Thanks!" I ran down the stone path, passing building after building in my rush. I paused as soon as I had reached the café. The Gym was supposed to be right next to it. But, where?
The only building after the café was the Nacrene City Museum. I sighed. Had that man from before taken me for a fool?
Without much choice on what to do, I walked towards the Museum, my hopes on finding someone to give me better directions. I reached my hand out for the door, when I saw the handle sqeak and open on it's own. The door opened, revealing…
"N, right?"
This guy was familiar to me, easily from his green hair and the ponytail he kept it in. My heart thumped at the sight of him. But…why?
Now, two years later, I know why. I was in love.
"Um, miss?" I blinked. A woman stood in front of me, with the words "Pewter City Museum Assistant" on her shirt.
"You, uh, are you okay? You seemed lost there for a bit. Should I call a nurse?" She had a thick accent, possibly Hoenn judging from it.
"Uh, no, sorry, I had a flashback," I muttered,
"Well, the Museum is about to close for the night." I looked out the window. The sun was beginning to set. So soon?
"Oh, sorry. I'll be leaving then," I said, holding back a tempted yawn. "Good night."
"Thank you for visiting the Pewter City Museum!" She smiled, stretching out her hand. I shook it, smiling. As I walked out, I felt the cool evening breeze welcome me Squinting my eyes, I could see Layla walking towards the Pokémon center. I ran after her.
"Layla! How was your training?" I called out. She turned to face me.
"See for yourself," she grinned, sending her Pokémon out of it's Poké ball. But , to my confusion, the Pokémon coming out was not a Squirtle. In fact, it was a…
"A Wartortle? Cool!"
"Yeah! We were battling a Geodude, and he started glowing, and…"
I listened to her tales of her experience, with the bites of nostalgia of the time I went through the same thing with Oshawott-no, Samurott.
"So, you checking in for the night?" I asked casually.
"Yeah! In fact, I have a membership to the Pokémon centers of Kanto! I can stay for the night free! Do you wanna share a room?"
"Sure!" Layla gave me a wide smile as soon as I responded.
"Hey! We could have a sort of a sleepover! Stay up all night, you know, cool stuff!" I thought then of Bianca, Cheren and I, and how we had our sleepovers. I frowned as I remember those moments.
"Um, do you not want to?" Layla looked crestfallen. "I mean, I understand, but-"
"No," I smiled. "That sounds like fun! Let's go."